Ionic liquid catalyst for the improvement of heavy crude and vacuum residues

Abstract

Heavy crude oil residue and vacuum residue is upgraded using an ionic liquid catalyst formulated with metals of Group VIB and VIIIB of the periodic table, which catalyst is highly miscible in the hydrocarbon phase. The combination of different metals and acidity from the protons that make up the ionic liquid breaks the links C—S, C—N and C—O of the resins and asphaltenes and increases API gravity, decreases viscosity, removes sulfur and nitrogen compounds, and results in conversion of 50 to 70% of the waste oil and heavy crude oil into lighter distillates.

1 . An ionic liquid catalyst for improving the properties of heavy crude oil and heavy vacuum residue, comprising metals of Group VIB and VIIIB of the periodic table. 
   
   
       2 . The ionic liquid catalyst of  claim 1 , wherein said Group VIB and Group VIIIB metals are selected from Co, Zr, Ni, Mo, Fe, Ni and Mo. 
   
   
       3 . The ionic liquid catalyst of  claim 2 , wherein said metals are Ni and Mo in a molar ratio of 30:1 in homogeneous phase with the oil phase and do not require activation. 
   
   
       4 . The ionic liquid catalyst of  claim 1 , wherein said catalyst is prepared by admixing a metal precursor with an inorganic acid at a temperature between 15 and 80° C. to form a clear solution, and thereafter adding sufficient water to obtain a water to precursor ratio of between 1:1 and 1:0.4. 
   
   
       5 . A method for the conversion of a heavy crude oil or vacuum residue, which comprises admixing an ionic liquid catalyst comprising Group VIB and Group VIIIB metals of the periodic table in liquid phase with a heavy crude oil or vacuum residue feed to form a homogeneous mixture under temperature and pressure conditions to form a hydrocarbon product comprising increased amounts of hydrocarbon distillate. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said ionic liquid catalyst is: a) admixed in liquid phase with said feed at a concentration of 10-5000 ppm by weight of said catalyst in relation to said feed, b) formed into a homogeneous mixture, c) pressurized with hydrogen to at least 50 Kg/cm 2 , d) subjected to an increased temperature in the range of 250-420° C. for a residence time of reaction of from 1 to 20 hours, and electively forming a hydrocarbon product comprising gasoline and diesel fractions by disintegration reactions of resins and asphaltenes. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said hydrogen pressure is in the range of 50 to 150 Kg/cm 2 . 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the concentration of said ionic liquid catalyst is between 100 and 1000 ppm by weight. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said hydrocarbon product has an API gravity of at least 10 units greater than said feed. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the distillable fraction of said heavy crude oil and vacuum residue feed is increased to at least 50 wt % gasoline, diesel and gas oils. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the concentration of asphaltenes in the heavy crude oil and heavy vacuum residue feed is reduced up to 54 wt %. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein 30 wt % of the sulfur content in heavy crude oil and heavy vacuum residue are eliminated. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein viscosity of the product of the residual vacuum is liquid at ambient conditions, yielding values of 76.58 cSt viscosity of up to 37.8° C. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said Group VIIIB metal and said Group VIB are present in said catalyst in a 30:1 molar ratio.